What does Genesis 47:12 mean?
At the command of Pharaoh and with his blessing, Joseph has established his large family in the region of Goshen, also called the land of Rameses. They now have as their possession the best of the land of Egypt (Genesis 47:1–11).Why has Pharaoh done this for them? He favors Joseph very highly. He holds Joseph responsible for saving Egypt and much of the world from a devastating famine (Genesis 41:39–41) that will continue to afflict the region for another five years (Genesis 45:1–11). It seems Pharaoh knows he owes Joseph more than he could ever repay. He is certainly grateful. From that perspective, his treatment of Joseph's family seems quite appropriate.
Now Joseph begins to distribute a regular allotment of food to every member of his father's household. It's true they owned large herds and flocks, but the family would still require bread made from the grain stored away by Joseph during the seven years of bounty that preceded the famine (Genesis 41:47–49).
For his part, Joseph believed God had brought him to this point in his life for this very purpose. His suffering and struggles were not meaningless, but rather were meant to save his family in their time of need (Genesis 45:5–8).
Genesis 47:1–12 describes how Joseph's family officially arrived as landowners in Egypt. They are given the fertile region of Goshen. At court, Joseph's brothers formally request permission to settle there, and Jacob blesses Pharaoh twice. Pharaoh gives Joseph the authority to give his family enough land in Goshen to accommodate their herds and growing families. Joseph also begins to distribute a regular allotment of food to each member of his extended family.
Genesis 47 begins with Pharaoh interviewing Joseph's brothers and father before granting their request to settle in the region of Goshen in Egypt. Just as Joseph had hoped, his family is secure. The rest of the people of Egypt and Canaan are not. Most run out of money and can no longer buy food from Joseph. On Pharaoh's behalf, Joseph trades food for their livestock and then their land and even their freedom. Nearly all people will be required to pay to Pharaoh 20 percent of their harvest each year from this time forward. After several years, Jacob asks Joseph to swear that he will bury Jacob's body with his fathers in Canaan.
